But before Oakley, the former National Basketball Association enforcer and rebounding machine with the New York Knicks, can reconcile with his former team and return to the arena, he's trying to beat the rap stemming from the altercation that led to his ejection and arrest in February at the Garden.
Police charged Oakley, 54, with three counts of misdemeanor assault and one count of criminal trespass at the time of his arrest, but he hadn't officially been arraigned until Tuesday.
Prosecutors have accused the 53-year-old Oakley of striking a security guard in the fracas.
Before the hearing, Oakley said he was hopeful that the charges would be dismissed.
The former National Basketball Association enforcer told The Associated Press in an interview this week that he had no regrets over his behavior that night that led him getting handcuffed near an arena exit as he waited for police to arrive.
Oakley played for the Knicks from 1988 to 1998.
But Oakley continued to insist Tuesday that he did "nothing wrong". I was sitting in my seat, and eight people walk up on you, and the next thing you know, you're dragged out of the Garden.
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The retired forward faces misdemeanor charges for allegedly assaulting two security guards during the Knicks' Feb. 8 game against the Los Angeles Clippers in the televised brawl that earned him a lifetime ban from the Garden.
Per The Post, he told reporters outside the courthouse, "I bought a ticket". Oakley told News 4 he only met Dolan in February.
"It's some B.S.to me but it's a process", he said.
"I don't feel disrespected", he said. He also admitted to having a few drinks before the game.
He was released on his own recognizance and will be back in court May 30.
Oakley, tussled with guards at the garden during a game on February 8 and was booted from the arena, then banned from it. "Both Mr. Oakley and Mr. Dolan were apologetic about the incident and subsequent comments, and their negative impact on the Knicks organization and the NBA", Silver said. The statement had said that Dolan hoped Oakley could return to MSG as his guest in the near future. "So I go to Knicks games in NY".
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